PTBA Opens Opportunities For China To Continue DME Projects After US Resigns

Photo: Doc. Antara

BANDUNG - PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) has opened its voice regarding the coal gasification project to Dimethyl Ether (DME). Currently, the project is still in the exploration stage with potential new investors.

PTBA's Corporate Communication and Government Relations Department Head, Dinna Permana, explained that the continuation of the project is still waiting for investment certainty.

"We are still in the exploration stage with the last investor, so it's far from China. We are currently still waiting for confirmation from the investor side and calculations," said Dinna in Bandung, West Java, Friday, October 24.

Therefore, continued Dinna, her party has not been able to convey the amount of the latest investment value or the certainty of the project implementation schedule.

Although there is no clarity regarding this project, said Dinna, PTBA is still in the plan to make Bukit Asam Coal Based Industrial Estate (BACBIE), Tanjung Enim, South Sumatra, the project industrial area.

"The plan is like that," he said.

For your information, the Dimethyl Ether (DME) project stalled after being left by its main investor, Air Products & Chemical Inc from the United States (US). The DME project is predicted to replace Liquified Petroleum Gas (Elpiji) as household fuel.

Previously, the Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstreaming / Deputy Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Todotua Pasaribu denied the resignation of investors from the coal downstream project to Dimethyl Ether (DME) because this project was considered non-economic.

"Not an economic project. Not an economical project," he told the media crew in Jakarta, Tuesday, March 18.

Todotoua said investors have their own indicators regarding the benefits of a project that will be invested in. Meanwhile, these parameters are different from those of the government so that the government remains adamant about running the project even though foreign investors are left behind.

"Our parameters are various. One is definitely an advantage. Second, if we enter, we open this investment, this is an open worker field," he continued.

Meanwhile, he continued, through this DME project, with capital originating from Danantara, the government can process its own natural resources.

"What is certain is that the state will take a role," he said.